This blog is about creating mixed media projects and maybe a card or two, while also having fun along the way. I hope to make you laugh out loud and enjoy the art we create. I may share some info about pets because I am an avid animal person and also a Vet Tech.Happy Crafting!Carpe Diem!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Ring Out the Old, Bring in the New at Anything But Cute #9

I do hope everyone totally enjoyed their holidays! We are back at it again and our lovely sweet and talented hostess this month at Anything But Cute is: Anne. She has created a wonderful challenge theme to help you use those wonderful art product Christmas gifts you received! Ring Out the Old, Bring in the New

Here is what Anne says "To celebrate the New Year, we would like you to create a mixed media card or project using something 'new'. Perhaps you got some fabulous new craft item for Christmas or you have something new that you have not used yet - just remember to tell us what the new item is!"

Exciting isn't it? I had an extremely lovely and generous Christmas this year. My DH felt bad about last year so he kinda went all out. Hehe! Everything I used for this design is new, well almost. Even a new craft mat!

Lets get started on the process! I started with these canvas tags and applied gesso to one. Dried it with my new heat gun and then used some new modeling paste and a Ledger stencil, dried that with my new gun as well. The base of these canvas tags are made of some very sturdy material, not sure exactly what it is but, dang are they sturdy little suckers.

The Liquitex modeling paste is exquisite! I usually make my own but this is awesome sauce stuff! Thick, easy to spread and dries kinda fast.

The real fun started with these new LSG magicals from the Industrail Chic set. Those have been on my wish list for over a year! I sprinkled Steampunk Sepia and Shabby Turbine Teal onto the tag and spritzed with water. Heat dried and then dabbed on some LSG starburst Bachelor Button Blue and Cowabunga Copper and sprayed with water. Always dry between layering colors, even though you will get some merging of the colors even if they are dry. Next came the Rusty Lantern Lime magicals, I applied this color over the texture paste with my new Waterbrush (detailed tip). Took me a bit to figure out how to use the thing but it was fun.

The cheesecloth was also colored with the Rusty Lantern Lime magicals and hot glued to the tag. I added a metal anchor between the cheesecloth and layered my heart knot on top. The heart knot was kinda hard to tie but after about 20 failed attempts, I did it! Thank you YouTube for the tutorial. I watched so many I have to give credit to anyone that made a video about it. :)

The last little bit added was really micro! These new micro beads are fantastical to add some texture but those little, I mean LITTLE, buggers are a handful! Finally I just put some mod podge onto my craft mat and dipped my brush straight into the bead container and "painted" 'em onto my tag. Whew! I had a bit of a mess going for a minute. I ended up using Copper, Bronze, and Splash micro beads.

The photo below shows a closer look at the heart knot. Hopefully you can actually see that it resembles a heart shape? This is also a close up of the micro beads. The anchor is an old piece from my stash.

Cheers to 2016 and all of the new journeys everyone will be taking, whether it be through art, life, or a planned adventure! Hugz to you all and don't forget to check out my what talented teamies have designed! Carpe Diem! ~Niki

I would thoroughly enjoy sharing this tag with these lovely challenges:

Our Creative Corner-Make Time Moodboard Challenge
(I thought the picture from the wonderful moodboard looked like a sea captains navigation compass, I also made time for myself to design this, being sick and under the weather had me out for a bit)

What a great description of how you achieved the gorgeous result on your tag. I can see those Magicals moving to the top of my 'wanted' list if only for the names of the colours!! Well done for persevering with the rope heart - it is incredible and finishes the tag off perfectly! Hugs, Anne xx

Wow Doc, looks like you really cleaned up this year with all those crafty goodie gifts!! Awesome!! I love that ledger stencil and your Lindy work is so beautiful! I am addicted to the Liquitex line as you will soon be, lol!! I just ordered my first Prima microbeads so it's so fun to see you have already dabbled with them, brilliant addition to this fabulous tag!! Stunning creation my friend, love it to bits!! hugs :)

Wow, Niki, this is a fabulous mixed media tag, loaded with lots of techniques and my favorite...microbeads! Yes, they can be a handful, and provoke a lot of cussing in the Closet! I have a love/hate relationship with them, can you tell? Your love knot is so stinkin' clever, and really well done! Your perseverance really paid off in a big way! This is just a great design, and is going down as one of my Niki fav's!!! I hope you are now operating at a full 100%, my friend! Big hugs!

Great inauguration of your new craft stash!! Love that stencil with the texture paste, and a new craft mat - oooh,I am jealous!! You are off to a wonderful start on the 2016 crafting, dear - hope to catch up myself soon once I get home! xxx Lynn

I haven't seen a heart knot before Niki - it's so fun!! I'm so glad you didn't do this project in red though... it is just so perfect in the colors that you chose. Gorgeous background, embellies and layers. Thanks bunches for such great inspiration. j.

I wish I had access to a Tuesday Morning here but alas no so I will have to wait until my next visit to my friend in Virginia before I can go there and pick up some of those tags. I love that you added all the Gesso, texture and spritzed it with colour and the tag is not warped. Your heart knotted rope is FAB-U-LOUS.Hugs!Cec

What a fabulous tag Niki, love those LSG Magicals (now on MY wish list LOL!) and congrats on getting the heart knot tied, that looks so complicated! Thanks for sharing your lovely tag and wishing you and yours joy in this New Year! Deb xo

Hi Niki!I had a little 'me time' and treated myself to a visit to your blog. Your mixed media tag is fabulous! I love the way you built the layers of color and texture. Your step by step is excellent as well. Lucky you, getting all those new crafty goodies for Christmas:-)) Thanks for the amazing inspiration, and many blessings throughout the New Year! Hugs,Nancy

Gorgeous tag and I love all the textures and the colour palette is just stunning! Thank you so much for sharing your project and for playing along with us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog... :)